Menopausal women could be offered paid time off and working environments with temperature-controlled areas under Labour plans to support the wellbeing of women in the workplace.
About one in 10 women aged 45-55 left their jobs last year due to their symptoms and ultimately the lack of workplace support, according to research supported by the Fawcett Society.
In an effort to support women to stay or return to the workforce, Labour has pledged to bring in a requirement for large companies to publish and implement a “menopause action plan” that sets out how they are supporting their employees experiencing menopausal symptoms.
The party plans to release government guidance, advising employers on the best ways to help their employees. Working women could also be offered alterations to their uniform to help manage menopausal symptoms.
Angela Rayner, the party’s deputy leader, said the policy was a “simple and effective way” to “improve productivity, keep more people in work and ultimately grow our economy for all”. Anneliese Dodds, the shadow women and equalities secretary, hailed the move as a “vital step forward” as the Conservatives “have vacated the field on supporting women”.
Employers will be required to submit their action plans to an existing government portal used for gender pay gap reporting.
Starmer’s plans go a step further than those presented under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership in 2019. Three years ago, Labour offered women flexible working hours and a requirement for employers to treat the menopause like a long-term fluctuating health condition.
Other changes suggested at the time included training managers about how the menopause can affect women, and what assistance they might need, as well as workplace facilities such as access to ventilation facilities and cold water.
Rayner, who also holds the post of shadow future of work secretary, said: “Everyone should be supported to thrive at work. But all too often women going through the menopause are being let down. Under the Conservatives, the number of women leaving the workforce is soaring, and productivity is plummeting as those who continue in work aren’t getting the support they need. This is bad for women, bad for business and bad for our economy.”
She continued: “I know from working with many incredible women how hard it is to get on at work every day while battling severe symptoms including depression, joint pain and extreme fatigue. It happens in every workplace, but too often women suffer in silence.
“Building on our new deal for working people, the next Labour government will help employers to support the wellbeing of their female workers, and our proposals are a simple and effective way to do this. We want to work with businesses and trade unions to bring about practical solutions like this to improve productivity, keep more people in work and ultimately grow our economy for all.”
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Dodds said: “Women in their 50s are the fastest-growing group in the workforce but they face significant pressures, and many are managing their menopause symptoms while holding down a job, caring for elderly parents and supporting their own children.
“Labour will ensure that these women are heard and supported through what can be a challenging time in their lives.”
NHS England has offered female staff experiencing the menopause the ability to work flexibly if needed.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS England’s chief executive, called on other employers to follow suit to help “break the stigma”.
